DATA CD
Responding to feedback asking for more supporting information with our titles, all new Craftsman releases now include a Data CD containing profiles of the author and the reader, a detailed Track Listing cross-referenced with page numbers of the original book, as well as details of other titles available including trailers. Files are presented on a separate disk to avoid possible playback issues with older CD players. Early CD titles which did not feature a Data CD are gradually being upgraded to include one. Craftsman will supply Data CDs to owners of the older versions free of charge when they become available subject to the conditions of the Craftsman Free Replacement Service. In addition Craftsman is registering all of its CD titles with Gracenote which means that computers and Gracenote enabled devices will present detailed track information when the CDs are inserted.
CD vs AUDIO CASSETTE
After much consultation at the beginning of 2005, we concluded that, sadly, the audio cassette, the chosen for medium for audio books for over 30 years, has become obsolete. Modern CD players offer the same advantages but with crystal clear digital sound quality and great durability. As a result new Craftsman titles are now only released on CD. Short tracks lengths of 2-3 minutes enable owners of older players to scan through and find their place easily. As existing stocks of cassette titles become exhausted, we will be upgrading them to CD. It is both the beginning and an end of an era.
US RESEARCH
The latest research has indicated that when reading-along with an audio book, reluctant readers can read text up to 2 years above their normal reading age. This offers one means for less able students to keep pace with their peer group and provides another powerful tool for special needs teaching. For exciting and inspiring examples of the use of audio books in classroom, log on to:- www.audiobookshelf.com/educator.html
MP3 DOWNLOADS
MP3 and WMA files of Craftsman titles are now available for paid download from The Spoken Network. Visit their website at www.spokennetwork.co.uk.
Customers can purchase downloadable titles held on Spoken Network's servers from links on the Craftsman website.
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